Auxiliary verb "yao" and its multiple meanings

Structure

In Chinese, 要 (yào), the verb "to want" doesn't quite function like the English. It means "want to" (like 想), but it's tone is very firm, so that can sound more like "going to" (like 会). It's specific meaning often depends on context.

Examples

• 我 要 吃饭。 (I want to eat, more of a desire)
• 我 明天 要 走 了。 (I'm going to leave tomorrow, more of an intention)
• 她 要 去 酒吧。(She wants/is going to go the the bar, possibly a desire or intention, dependent on context)

Note that if the speaker wishes to say "I'd like to", 想 can be used instead of 要. Using 要 instead of 想 is a common mistake for learners of Chinese.

See also

• "Would like to" with xiang
• Auxiliary verb "hui" for "will"

Sources and further reading

Books

• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 154-5) →buy